Leadership matters from the classroom to the boardroom. At Holdsworth, we believe building these skills is a life-long journey.
We asked our alumni to share a favorite leadership book that had a profound impact on the way they lead.
From the tried and true to the unconventional, you’ll want to add these recommendations to your reading list to fuel your leadership in 2024.
Choose Your Perspective – 7 Tips for High Performance Through Intentional Thinking by John Martin
Do you overthink? Let negativity or emotions dictate your actions? What if I told you that you can control your outlook by choosing your perspective?
According to Martin, you don’t always choose your thoughts, but you can choose which thoughts you contemplate further, discard or act upon. Being able to change your perspective regardless of the situation is critical to achieving goals and enjoying life, and Martin offers tools to help you transform your perspective through intentional thinking.
I realized pretty quickly this process wouldn’t happen overnight. The act of stepping back and looking at situations from multiple angles is a lifelong practice. “Choose Your Perspective” has challenged me, and made me a better person and leader. This book taught me to be more aware of my thoughts, look for the positive in situations, have patience, increase my productivity through planning, interact with others from a place of empathy, and lastly, to always be grateful for yourself and others.
Jamee Griebel | Campus Leadership Program Alum
Principal, Lockhart ISD
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz
Diving into this read felt like discovering a negotiation playbook with game-changing insights. His mantra, “never split the difference,” echoed throughout the pages, urging readers to resist compromise and strive for win-win outcomes.
The heart of Voss’s approach lies in active listening, a critical leadership skill. He advocates for techniques like mirroring and summarizing to truly understand the needs of everyone at the table. It’s not just about talking; it’s about immersing yourself in the conversation.
One standout concept is embracing conflict – not in a confrontational way, but as an information-driven quest for the best outcome. Negotiations are about uncovering value, not overpowering the other party. It’s a refreshing perspective that steers clear of the typical win-lose scenarios associated with compromise.
The book resonates with leaders aiming for more than just middle-ground satisfaction. Voss challenges the notion that compromise is the fairest route, asserting that it often leads to lackluster outcomes. The quote, “Listening is not a passive activity. It is the most active thing you can do,” encapsulates the book’s essence, reminding us that true negotiation is a dynamic, empathetic process.
Dr. Gabriel Trujillo | Superintendent Leadership Program Alum
Superintendent, Nacogdoches ISD
Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow by Tom Rath
“If you spend your life trying to be good at everything, you will never be great at anything. While our society encourages us to be well-rounded, this approach inadvertently breeds mediocrity. Perhaps the greatest misconception of all is that of the well-rounded leader.” – Tom Rath
Do you know your natural strengths? What about your weaknesses? If I asked you to make a list, which side would be longer?
As educators we are hardwired to identify deficiencies (weaknesses) and work really hard to improve them. But is this the best approach to growing and developing ourselves as leaders, or those in our charge? Rath presents the case that the traditional approach of fixing weaknesses only prevents failure. Building on strengths achieves excellence.
This book helped me better understand how I showed up as a leader when I was a campus principal. In my role as director of leadership development, I use this book – along with the Gallup Clifton Strengths assessment and resources – to help grow current and future leaders by cultivating their natural strengths.
Do you want to learn how to tap into your strengths and take them to the next leadership level? Start by picking up this book.
Jeff Mann | Leadership Collaborative Alum
Director of Leadership Development, College Station ISD
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
In the realm of leadership literature, this book is an unconventional but profoundly impactful guide. A simple tale woven through enchanting illustrations and dialogue, it captures the essence of good leadership and resonates across professional boundaries.
Mackesy’s work is a parable about kindness, friendship, courage, and vulnerability. The interactions among the four characters, each embodying different strengths and weaknesses, serve as a metaphor for the dynamics within a team.
The mole, with his profound love of cake, reminds us of the power of simple joys and the importance of caring for one’s team. The boy represents innocence and curiosity, essential for any leader in fostering a culture of learning and growth. The fox, initially mistrustful yet gradually warming to companionship, symbolizes the challenges and rewards of building trust. The horse, a figure of strength and wisdom, guides the others, epitomizing the role of a leader who supports without overshadowing.
This book advocates for a leadership style less about authority and more about companionship and empathy. It encourages leaders to acknowledge vulnerabilities and foster a more authentic and relatable connection with teams. The simplicity of the narrative belies its depth. Leadership is not always about grand strategies or charismatic authority; sometimes, it’s about the quiet strength in understanding and empathy.
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” is a reminder that at the heart of effective leadership lies the ability to connect, understand and inspire.
Dr. Quintin Shepherd | District Leadership Program Alum
Superintendent, Victoria ISD
Leading from Purpose by Nick Craig
Are you someone who, like me, tends to define themselves and others through the lens of an ever-changing professional title or role?
Rarely do we stop to reflect on why we do what we do and to uncover the driver of our identity and sense of self. Within each of us simmers an individual purpose, if only we are brave enough to peel it open.
“Leading From Purpose” helps readers rediscover their unique purpose and create meaning in their lives and organizations. This book opened my eyes and transformed the way I lead – not through my title but through collaborating with others for shared outcomes.
Through this transformational – and sometimes uncomfortable – journey, I learned that uncovering and holding true to my purpose will always keep me on solid ground as a leader.
Dr. Sandra Clement | Leadership Collaborative Alum
Chief Officer of School Improvement and Innovation, Corpus Christi ISD
Other Notable Recommendations:
Culturize by Jimmy Casas
Kristina Sanchez
Lockhart ISD
Learning from Lincoln: Leadership Practices for School Success by Harvey Alvy
Lorena Garcia
Mission CISD
The Noticer by Andy Andrews
Kyle Fraser
Lamar CISD
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Shane Strubhart
Spring ISD
Think Again by Adam Grant
Dr. Michael A. Cardona
San Marcos CISD
Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
Ethan Hoeft
Mentora Institute
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